Tactical khukuri modification

J

junon

Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Messages
9
Hi All,

Greeting. New member here but have been keen to get one of HI khukuri someday (real soon, hopefully).

Anyway... Beside the traditional khukuri, I'm interested with something modern, with micarta/G10 handle.
My plan is to get one of the HI khukuri (maybe Chiruwa Ang khola), replace the handle with micarta/G10, and make a kydex sheath for it.

I do somehow think modern handle probably would be 'worst' than traditional horn/wood handle (hey, wood/horn have been used for ages - battle proven!)... but I just want to have modern look on one of my khukuri.. Something like Busse Killa Zilla look but with a tried-and-true HI blade!

Now... anyone can recommend me which model from HI would be best for above purpose?
Also please let me know where I can get the handle made. I know quite a lot of people that can do kydex, so I get that covered.

My plan is to order the khukuri from HI and ship it directly to handle maker and then to kydex maker.
After that... then it would cross the pacific to me :)

Appreciate any input.

Thanks!
 
Any of the "exposed tang" models are easy enough to rehandle. The hidden tangs are a bit trickier. The Chiruwa Ang, the ASTK or the M43 ( those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head)

I tend to use stabilized wood when I rehandle anything ( I just prefer the look and feel of it, and I haven't had a durability issue)

Here's my ( from left to right) Busse Zilla ( that I did in Redwood burl), HI ASTK ( in Flamed redwood), and a HI ugly villager knife ( that is stock because it feels outstanding in hand already)
8c8f5833.jpg


If you don't mind me asking, why the interest in a modern material handle? Just curious, I like to know people's motivations for the things they like/ want.:thumbup::D
 
Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I'm a mostly a sword collector (just got into knives collecting recently). For sword, I like them to have some sort of historical design/traditional material. So I prefer rayskin wrap, silk ito, etc... My collection consist of bugei katana, Huanuo jian, and (in the near future - on my shopping list) Albion sword. You get the idea... something traditional & with no modern part on it... Just like the way they make it in the old days...

Now for knives, I'm trying something different. Something modern... Just to be different than my swords ;) Something like Busse would do, I guess... So I want to have HI with killa zilla touch... *this, of course... in addition of a real khukuri from HI as well! :D*
 
Welcome junon!,

My suggestion would be to browse and get a feel for what style blade you like. If it will be used for chopping wood you will want to stick to the models warranted for such use in the warranty.
Then i would post a pic of it and post a thread here:http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/871-Wanted-Knifemaker-Craftsman-Related-Services
to see what knifemaker contacts you about doing the work. (unless you have someone specific in mind).
Also, you may be able to get a better deal on what you want if you wait for a blem with a cracked handle to be posted.
 
I would humbly consider 2 things: (a) the most "tactical" khukri design I've seen is the FOX KNIVES design. The handles are of some sort of rubberized/plastic material and the blades have a totally different geometry:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Fox-Knives-Military-Division-BRONZE-EXTREME-TACTICAL-TRAKKER-Kukri-Knife-/00/s/MTExWDQ1NA==/$(KGrHqFHJBUE-c!Trb,1BPy,9,PBJ!~~60_12.JPG

As for traditional, HI kuks, I'd recommend a Kobra or a Sirupate, which have a more "angular" design and would feel more natural with sinthetic materials on the handle.

Once again, IMHO...

Sergio in Rio
 
I've heard of people getting a special order from Yangdu for blade only, at reduced cost (but with some wait time), which would save the work of undoing the work the kami put into the handle and bolster.
 
Steve Tall said:
I've heard of people getting a special order from Yangdu for blade only, at reduced cost (but with some wait time), which would save the work of undoing the work the kami put into the handle and bolster.
Click to expand...

AFAIK, Auntie does not take blade only orders. The only times i've seen her sell blade only were when the handles were so severely cracked or damaged that she stripped the handles and hardware.
 
Karda said:
AFAIK, Auntie does not take blade only orders. The only times i've seen her sell blade only were when the handles were so severely cracked or damaged that she stripped the handles and hardware.
Click to expand...

I recall someone saying they ordered a Farm Knife as a blade only (no handle or sheath) and paid $85 at the time, but I don't know the details. (Trying to find a reference to this would be like the proverbial needle in the haystack.) Sorry if I steered you wrong (but it might be worth asking Yangdu, though.)
 
Steve Tall said:
I recall someone saying they ordered a Farm Knife as a blade only (no handle or sheath) and paid $85 at the time, but I don't know the details. (Trying to find a reference to this would be like the proverbial needle in the haystack.) Sorry if I steered you wrong (but it might be worth asking Yangdu, though.)
Click to expand...

Your recollection is as good or better than mine, Steve. I'm not saying Auntie hasnt done so in the past. There are many things that have been done once, maybe twice. Sometimes to generate needed money at the time or when things are slow. Last i talked to her on this subject, she told me that bare blades would not be something she would wish to offer regularly, as she is in business to sell fine khukuri and knives. Demand has never been high enough for her to justify making them and having them shipped here, which is expensive. Her take is that a cracked handle blem is often sold at steel cost and is more cost effective for her to just sell them that way and let the buyer modify as they please.
 
I have a Ang Khola 18" that I want rehandle. With saatial, oak or some kind of hardwood. Any suggestions????
 
but who does the re-handles these days???? it was terry sisco at one time but I called him he doesn't do it any more.
 
thanks Karda --- Just wanted to say to Jroden5446 - that is real nice job you did on those handles in the picture
 
junon said:
Hi,Now for knives, I'm trying something different. Something modern... Just to be different than my swords ;) Something like Busse would do, I guess... So I want to have HI with killa zilla touch... *this, of course... in addition of a real khukuri from HI as well! :D*
Click to expand...
I would challenge you to an obstacle course for big knives.

A traditional Kukri made in the traditional way and used in the traditional way.
vs.
A modern Kukri made in the modern way and used with the modern tight fist grip way.

At the end of the course the traditional Kukri would win as the better chopper and fighter. Also because it was handmade it would win with style.
win with style.jpg
 
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